December 2014 - SelfSufficientPath

Build an Ugly Drum Smoker (UDS) – Part 1

December 24, 2014 Joe SSP YouTube Channel

In this episode we begin an Ugly Drum Smoker (UDS) project. I’m investing some serious time and money in this build, as I expect to own and use this smoker for years to come. Parts and cost lists will be posted and linked to selfsufficientpath.com once the project is completed. We’re also using and reviewing a new step drill bit made by Neiko in this episode. 2″ 550F BBQ CHARCOAL GRILL PIT WOOD SMOKER TEMP GAUGE THERMOMETER 2.5″ STEM SS RWB Neiko Titanium Step Drill Bit – 1/4″ to 1-3/8″ in 1/8″ Increments, 10 Steps Wire Rack and Small Cart 3″ Caster Kit – 4 Pack – 3/8″ x 1-1/2″ Threaded Stem

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

December 4, 2014 Joe Content

As many of you know, I’ve been hunting fairly hard this year. Despite several full-day and half-day hunts, I am still without fresh venison in the freezer. A few days ago, while driving through our semi-suburban neighborhood I saw a fine looking eight point buck feeding with a doe in a small field. I jokingly told my daughters to keep an eye out for him. Warning, this post goes into fairly explicit detail about the realities of hunting wild game, and may be too much for children. Please do not read further unless you have made a considered decision about the appropriateness of this content for young readers. Thanks. Here’s where it gets weird. I came downstairs after work on